Sources say, the Mower County Board of Commissioners spent an estimated $320,000 on architect and engineer fees on the multipurpose building they will not build.

Wednesday, March 14, 2001

Sources say, the Mower County Board of Commissioners spent an estimated $320,000 on architect and engineer fees on the multipurpose building they will not build.

That’s the figure given to those who have inquired into the money spent over the last three years to explore a multipurpose building at the fairgrounds in southwest Austin.

At Tuesday’s county board meeting, the commissioners did not confirm or deny the amount, saying exact costs have not been tabulated, but, board Chairman David Hillier, Third District, agreed: "They could be that much."

A week ago, the county board unanimously voted to abandon the project, saying it could not be built with the $5.5 million, including $2.45 million of the county’s own monies and operated "in the black" with the anticipated user fees.

The city of Austin was counting on the county to complete the project, which would have included two sheets of ice to accommodate the burgeoning Austin Youth Hockey, Riverside Figure Skating Club and Austin Public Schools varsity hockey programs.

In return, the city planned to convert its Riverside Arena, currently the site of the only sheet of ice in all of Mower County, into a combination recreation and activity center.

Despite the early dismay among city officials and hockey/ice skating enthusiasts, they were elated Monday when the city announced it would pursue a project of its own.

Now, the city plans to construct a single sheet of ice practice rink at an undisclosed location and renovate Riverside Arena into a more energy-efficient and, therefore, more cost-efficient facility to operate.

Meanwhile, the county commissioners say they will focus their attention on building needs at the fairgrounds.

If anyone thinks the county commissioners – Hillier, as well as Len Miller, Ray Tucker and Richard P. Cummings – are second-guessing their decision to abandon the multipurpose building project, they would be wrong.

Hillier, Miller, Tucker and Cummings still contend their decision was the right one.

"Our constituents are telling us we made the right decision," said Tucker, who represents the Second District comprised of two-thirds of eastern Mower County. "They’re telling us we did the right thing."

Hillier said the cost of the project was prohibitive. Bids for the building, which had pledges of $5.5 million in public and private sector monies, came in at nearly $2 million more than the budgeted amount in December.

Despite last-ditch efforts to invite the financial partners to contribute more, there was no interest, according to the commissioners.

As far as the estimated $320,000 spent on engineering and architect fees, Tucker said, "We can use some of the data and information on future plans for the fairgrounds.

One factor that could have influenced the commissioners’ about-face on the multipurpose building project could have been recent history.

When the county board approved major renovation plans for the government center and courthouse in downtown Austin, the project was nagged by change orders after change orders.

In the end, the project cost the county an estimated $442,0000, or almost $250,000 over budget.

But the county commissioners are still dogged by the fact Mower County’s reserves have grown to what some call an excessive amount.

Despite approving initiatives recommended during a long-range planning study, the reserves, both designated and undesignated, continue to hover near the $30 million mark.

Dick Chaffee, Austin’s at-large City Council member, has made no secret that if elected to the county board, he will seek to address that issue immediately.

Also, Chaffee claims the Fifth District seat he is seeking in a special election with Garry Ellingson, a former long-time chief deputy, includes some 7,500 residents of the city of Austin and, therefore, the "city" deserves stronger representation on the county board.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.